Leogane destroyed to 90%, according to the UN

Leogane, a town west of Port-au-Prince, was damaged about 90% by the earthquake that devastated Haiti, according to UN relief workers said Saturday that international organization.

This city of Haiti, known for its production in sugarcane, was the area most affected with 80 to 90% of buildings were damaged, said to Agent France Press spokesperson of the Office of Coordination Humanitarian Affairs, Elisabeth Byrs.

The United Nations whose "priority" remains the search for survivors in Haiti has sent research teams who went to Leogane. The organization stressed that the majority of victims' bodies were still trapped under collapsed buildings. "The favorable climate and building structures have increased the chances of surviving," said Ms. Byrs. "Therefore the operations of search and rescue remain the priority. The rescue phase will continue for, "she insisted.

Note that these research teams, nearly thirty, including 1,500 people and 115 dogs. According to the spokesman, they came Friday to remove debris 34 people bringing the total number of people saved by these teams to 58.

"However, aid workers continue to face many logistical problems, the main being the lack of transport, fuel and communications," she acknowledged. The transport is very limited and movement is hampered by the fact that gasoline inventories are lower and lower. The lack of ambulances is also a cruel barrier forcing rescuers to improvise to transport the wounded.

The rescue teams of the UN have also visited the cities of Gressier and Carrefour west of Port-au-Prince and felt they had both been destroyed 40-50%.